Meet Our Members (ID 1023)

• Wybren den Breejen
  Chair of Members
  Wybren den Breejen

  Wybren is the Chair of the Members Group. He has spent his career in technology and now develops technology strategy within the financial services industry.

  He was a governor at Greentrees Primary School immediately before the school joined the Trust. He volunteers at a number of secondary schools providing a variety of career and further education talks and mentoring.

• Paul Hughes
  Member
  Paul Hughes

  Paul is a Member of Pickwick Academy Trust. He has over 18 years’ experience as a Governor and Chair of Governors, with Greentrees Primary School.

  Alongside Governorship, Paul is a legal and commercial professional working in the Defence and Security Sector. In addition, he is the Group Scout Leader of a successful Sea Scout Group in Salisbury, where along with other leaders, looks to develop young people with skills for life, across a range of mental, physical and adventurous activities.

• David Perry
  Member
  David Perry

  David Perry is a foundation Member and is the representative of the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education, which is itself a Corporate Member of Pickwick Academy Trust.

  David says that he was born in 1962 to the sound of the Beatles! Not really, but it answers why he likes the Beatles so it's a good myth. David has been married to Anne-Marie for 31 years now. She runs AbiCare, a home care provision company based in Salisbury where they have lived for all their married life. They have 4 children, a girl of 28 and then 3 boys with the youngest, Patrick, being 21.

  David trained as a teacher in 1986 then was an airline pilot for the last 25 years, working mostly for Thomas Cook but was ordained Priest in 2018 and he has worked as a priest in Salisbury ever since. David now works part time as a Flying Instructor and part time as a hospital chaplain in Southampton.

  David has four dogs, three cats and a pond of fish. His hobbies are model aircraft, amateur radio and watercolour painting.

• Frances Blackmore
  Member
  Frances Blackmore

  Frances has over 25 years' experience of working in the education sector for Local Authorities and then at Pickwick Academy Trust until her retirement in November 2024. She is actively involved in the local community through her work with the Chippenham Shed, Cribbage League, Chippenham Queen's East Residents Panel and the weekly Get Wiltshire Walking community walk.

• Alex Bond
  Member
  Alex Bond

  Alexandra Bond is a foundation Member.

  She is the founding member of Social Tech organisation RunAClub, building and developing the sophisticated administration platform supporting any club or network of clubs, whilst embedding the internal and external communications.

  She has 20 years of demonstrated success in supporting new ventures starting up; and helping companies, local authority services, charities, social enterprises and schools grow and develop new products, methods and services. She has held various volunteer Chair and Committee roles at pre, primary and secondary Schools.

• Rebecca Groves
  Member
  Rebecca Groves

  Rebecca is a procurement and project professional in the Defence and Nuclear sector. Her previous experience as the Vice Chair of Queen’s Crescent school positions her well as a Member of the Pickwick Academy Trust.

  Rebecca lives in Chippenham with her husband and two boys, and is passionate about Social Value and gender equity.

Meet our Trustees (ID 1024)

• Rob Ward
  Chair of Trustees
  Rob Ward

  Robert Ward is the Chair of the Trust Board. He has been serving in the Royal Air Force for over 30 years. He has completed many different roles from flying duties to staff appointments. He is currently serving at MoD Lyneham in the Defence College of Technical Training Headquarters.

  Robert was previously a parent governor at Ivy lane from 2014 finishing as the Vice chair. He was a member of the MAT steering group to help form Pickwick Academy Trust and is now serving as the Chair of Trustees.

• Gill Clark
  Vice Chair of Trustees
  Gill Clark

  Gill is Vice-Chair and a Foundation Trustee.

  She has experience as a school governor, teacher, head teacher and local authority senior adviser.

  Gill has had a life long interest in primary education, as a school governor, teacher, head teacher and local authority senior adviser specialising in school improvement.

  In 2006 she was appointed as one of the first National Leaders in Education and has had the opportunity to work in many schools supporting them to develop and improve the education they offer the children.

  Gill firmly believes education has the power to change, improve and enhance the lives of children and young people. They should be offered the best chances to learn and thrive within the school they attend. The curriculum offered to the children needs to be engaging and motivating. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Pickwick Trust Board to ensure that this happens. She has joined the Trust Board to support the achievement of these aims. Gill is Chair of the Trust's School Improvement Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees.

  Away from school Gill enjoys the theatre, art history, swimming and walking her dog.

• Andrew Hall
  Trustee
  Andrew Hall

  Andrew Hall is a Trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee. He is an experienced entrepreneur. He has been successful as Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer in a broad spectrum of sectors including health and social care, commercial property development, healthcare manufacturing and Hollywood movies. He is currently focused on long term regeneration of the town centres of Corsham and Shoreditch. He has a strong interest in sustainability.

  Having consistently led small to medium sized organisations, Andrew has an open-minded and hands-on approach to getting things done. He is proud to help deliver the best schools and outcomes for our children.

  Andrew is Chair of the Trust's Finance Focus Committee, and sits on the Environment Working Group. He is link Trustee for Sustainability.

• Rob Hayday
  Trustee
  Rob Hayday

  Rob is a Trustee of Pickwick Academy Trust. His expertise is in project and change management, procurement, and system and process implementation

• David Powell
  Trustee
  David Powell

  David is a Foundation Trustee of Pickwick Academy Trust. He has experience as an education consultant, with expertise in curriculum and leadership.

• Paul Vincent
  Trustee
  Paul Vincent

  Paul is a Foundation Trustee of Pickwick Academy Trust. He has experience in governance, procurement, teaching and learning, and safeguarding. He is the link Trustee for safeguarding, staff wellbeing and international links

• Rachel Alderman
  Trustee
  Rachel Alderman

  Rachel is a Foundation Trustee of Pickwick Academy Trust.

  She was previously a governor at Winterslow CE Primary School.

  Rachel has over 20 years experience in teaching music and the Performing Arts across all 5 key stages and in pre-schools, including training nursery staff to teach music. She set up her own business in 2008 and continues to teach toddler music groups and piano lessons 1-1 in schools and at home. She also has special interest and experience in SEND. Rachel is link Trustee for staff wellbeing and international links.

  She is Kodaly trained and loves learning how music affects our brain and helps children learn. Rachel believes that music reaches parts of our brains other things cannot and illuminates our souls, connecting our mind and heart. She believes that children deserve the best and that joy in learning should be taken seriously.

  Rachel has a strong Christian belief and serves as a foundation Trustee looking specifically at Christian distinctiveness within our mixed MAT as we lead the way on releasing our Vision and Values so that all the children in our care can flourish and find their purpose. She loves singing and writes songs, rehearses children's choirs and performs as a member of a chamber choir.

  She also loves a good Agatha Christie and one of her most memorable moments is playing one of Agatha's Christie's composition's on her actual piano (did you know Agatha Christie was a concert pianist as well as a novelist?) and she loves afternoon tea.

• Jim Boardman
  Trustee
  Jim Boardman

  Jim is a Trustee of Pickwick and sits on the Finance Committee.

  He has strong experience of finance and business, and is an experienced governor.

  His working career was in an international manufacturing business, undertaking various technical and quality systems roles and becoming a member of the senior management team responsible for research and development. Jim has a science degree and finance and business studies qualifications.

  Since retiring Jim has been involved in various medical research projects as a patient representative and have helped the local parish council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.

  He volunteers with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in helping to manage and maintain the country park adjacent to Pickwick’s Greentrees Primary School.

  His wife worked as a primary teacher in Birmingham and three of his grandchildren attended Greentrees where he was appointed to the governing board in 2018. Jim was involved throughout the school's move into Pickwick in 2021 and continued on their LGC until appointment as a trustee.

• James Passmore
  Chief Executive Officer
  James Passmore

  James has over 25 years education experience and 20 as a leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Pickwick Academy Trust. He was previously the Director of Pickwick Learning Teaching School Alliance and the sub-regional lead for the Teaching School Council for Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. He is passionate about teaching and learning, and bringing people together effectively to improve outcomes for pupils.

Meet our Chairs of Governors (ID 1025)

• Tim Waldron
  Chair of Governors at Aloeric Primary
  Tim Waldron

  Tim Waldron is Chair of Aloeric Primary School's Local Governance Committee.

  Tim has worked in a secondary school for 11 years specialising in Religious Studies, Politics, Sociology and PHSE. He is currently the Head of Personal Development at St. Mary's Calne. Tim has experience in supporting school policy development and implementing whole school strategies such as the Rights Respecting Schools Award and auditing SMSC delivery. He is also Chair of Corsham Hockey Club.

• Andy Gough
  Chair of Governors at Corsham Primary
  Andy Gough

  Andy became a governor at Corsham Primary School in 2018 and has recently moved into the Co-Chair role. He specialises in construction project management and has 17 years project management consultancy experience. Currently he is the head of Capital Projects at Dyson in Malmesbury.

  Andy was educated in Corsham and returned to the area in 2014. He has a keen interest in cycling, both in the UK and abroad.

• Kara McAveety
  Chair of Governors at Ivy Lane
  Kara McAveety

  Kara McAveety has been a Governor at Ivy Lane school since moving to Chippenham in 2013, becoming Vice Chair in 2017. She is mother to five children, two sets of twins and one singleton. The oldest twins are now in secondary education and the 3 youngest children are currently pupils at Ivy Lane School.

  Kara has a PhD in computational chemistry and works as a Senior Researcher in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. She has been involved in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate students for many years and was part of a team that won the University of Bristol Educational Initiative Award in 2018.

• Dan Linde
  Chair of Governors at Queens Crescent
  Dan Linde

  Dan Linde is chair of governors at Queen's Crescent Primary School.

  Daniel Linde is a finance professional with experience in corporate and managerial finance roles including investment banking associate and Chief Financial Officer.

  Daniel joined the Queen's Crescent Local Governance Committee in 2020.

• John Fuller
  Chair of Governors at AWGS CE Primary
  John Fuller

  Chair of Local Governance Committee at Alderbury & West Grimstead CE Primary School

  John spent his career working in the world of education, including twenty years as a Headteacher. Most recently he held senior roles within a large Multi Academy Trust. He has held a number of trustee/governance roles and is currently Chair of Trustees for the Oasis Community Partnerships in Southampton, a Parish Councillor and church warden at St Mary's Alderbury. He believes strongly in the importance of primary schools to the life of villages and is committed to ensuring the very best outcomes for all the children of Alderbury and West Grimstead School.

• Naomi Miles
  Chair of Governors at Gomeldon Primary
  Naomi Miles

  I joined the governing body of Gomeldon Primary in 2022, becoming Chair, 2024.

  I have since guided the school through some big changes including the recruitment of a new headteacher and our joining of Pickwick Academy Trust. Having two children at the school and having attended myself in the 90’s it felt like a logical step. My background, pre children, was teaching and education. Having studied History at the University of Winchester and then gaining a Montessori teaching qualification I managed several Montessori Nursery schools and have worked in a local Preparatory school teaching children aged 2 - 6.

  I retrained gaining Royal Horticultural Society and Garden Design qualifications and I currently work as a self-employed gardener and horticulturist. Gomeldon School is a very special place and I consider myself privileged to be able to support and work alongside the staff and SLT as they guide and nurture the future generations.

• Mark Wilson
  Chair of Governors at Greentrees Primary
  Mark Wilson

  Mark Wilson is the Chair of the Local Governance Committee at Greentrees Primary School

• Erica Quirk
  Co-Chair of Governors at Longford CE Primary
  Erica Quirk

  Co-Chair of Local Governance Committee Erica Quirk, Longford CE Primary School.

  Erica spent almost 40 years working as a teacher and headteacher in Essex and East London. Following her retirement, she moved to Salisbury in 2018. Erica is passionate about the education of children and believes she has the skills, experience and commitment which enable her to make a valuable contribution as a governor. She has served Longford Primary School as a governor since December 2022 and became Co-Chair in March 2024.

• Nic Ford
  Co-Chair of Governors at Longford CE Primary
  Nic Ford

  Nic has been Chair at Longford since March 2023 but started as a Parent Governor in 2016. She became Co-Chair at Longford in March 2024. Her commitment to support and help develop the school is still as strong as when her boys were there - they are now 14 and 18 years old.

  Nic works full time as a Project Manager for the NHS and understands the pressures and scrutiny that the public sector is under.

  In her spare time, Nic enjoys paddleboarding, reading and taking her lively springer spaniels out on long walks.

• Judith Lewy
  Chair of Governors at Pitton Primary
  Judith Lewy

  Judith has been a Governor at Pitton Primary since March 2019 and Chair since September of that year.

  
  Judith started her teaching career in a primary school in Singapore, but since then has spent 30 years teaching languages, mainly German, in secondary schools in Liverpool and Guildford. She was Assistant Head with responsibility for trainee and newly qualified teachers, staff CPD and international links. After retirement she moved to the Salisbury area to be nearer some of the family. Two of her grandchildren attend Pitton School.

• Pam Bassindale
  Chair of Governors at St Andrews CE Primary
  Pam Bassindale

  I retired as the headteacher of Gomeldon Primary School in August 2013. Prior to that I was the deputy headteacher of St. Mark’s Junior School in Salisbury.

  I originally trained and taught as a secondary languages teacher but switched to primary when my two sons were small. Volunteering in their small rural primary school fostered a passion for this phase of education which has never died. Before moving to Salisbury, I spent 7 years teaching in a Service Children’s school in Germany where I became DHT and then, for a short period, Acting Head.

  I joined the Governing Body of St. Andrew’s Primary School in September 2013 (the headteacher always said I didn’t say ‘No’ quickly enough) and have been the Chair since 2018. We have a very active governing body and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge and rewards of the role.

  In my spare time I love travelling, crafting, reading and gardening, and used to do a lot of hiking before my hips and knees complained!

• Adrian Burrows
  Chair of Governors at Winterbourne Earls CE Primary
  Adrian Burrows

  Bio coming soon

• Henrietta Alderman
  Chair of Governors at Winterslow CE Primary
  Henrietta Alderman

  Henrietta is the Chair of Governors at Winterslow CE Primary School.

  She is an experienced governor.

  Henrietta has lived in Winterslow for over 20 years. She moved there when her three children were in secondary school. She has always felt that Winterslow school was the heart of the village and nurturing future generations in their early years within a caring culture and with strong values is an incredibly important role within the community. She is delighted to be a Foundation Governor and does all she can to assist the ongoing excellence of the school.

  Her background is in organisational governance and management - Henrietta has held trustee and non-executive director roles. Since leaving full time work in 2021, she has enjoyed having the time to contribute to the community in various ways. Being a Foundation Governor enables her to use her skills for the benefit of the school and she says it is a very rewarding experience.

  Henrietta has five grandchildren and they all attend faith schools. She is familiar with the ethos and values that are very much embedded within Winterslow Church of England school and is excited to be able to play a part in its ongoing sparkling future.

• Jacqui Goodall
  Chair of Governors at Woodford Valley
  Jacqui Goodall

  Bio coming soon

• James Smyth
  Chair of Governors at All Saints CE Primary
  James Smyth

  James has been an engineer all his working life and has worked in aviation, petrochemicals, agriculture and the marine sector. This has involved working and living in many locations around the UK and abroad. He currently works for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as Technical Training Manager responsible for ensuring all volunteers and staff have the necessary skills to operate and maintain lifeboats, associated plant, and equipment throughout the UK and Ireland.

  This passion for supporting the development of people translates directly into the role of a school governor and ensuring children are given the best possible opportunities available and schools are supported to do so.

  During his free time James enjoys time with his family and the countryside.

• Jamie Paul
  Chair of Governors at Gillingham Primary
  Jamie Paul

  Jamie was elected as a parent governor at Gillingham Primary School in March 2020 and has served as Chair of Governors since September 2021.

  Jamie joined the Civil Service in 2000, initially working at the UK’s medicines regulator before spending 12 years at the Ministry of Justice, working in policy and operational roles in the criminal justice and family law systems. Since moving to north Dorset, he has changed career and now works as a primary school administrator.

• Gideon King
  Co-Chair of Governors at Ludwell Primary
  Gideon King

  Gideon became a science teacher in 2005, working in several secondary schools in Dorset and as the Head of Sixth Form from 2013. During that time, he was fortunate enough to interweave into his teaching career numerous opportunities to inspire, excite and educate young people about the world. Gideon believes schools have a duty to support young people in making the best academic progress they can whilst also providing opportunities for learning and development that extends beyond the curriculum. Through organising dozens of local, national and international trips, leading a department in science and championing sustainability in schools, Gideon has made a sustained and significant contribution to the holistic education of young people, broadening their opportunities. Gideon loves his work with your people at the other end of the school system, providing pastoral and academic support as they make their transition into adulthood. He hopes that in his role as governor he is able to bring some of his experience to bear to the benefit of Ludwell Primary School and its community.

  Gideon lives with his young family in Shaftesbury and his three children have made or are making their journey through the school. They enjoy the outdoors - kayaking, running, cycling, their allotment and campfires and walks in the woods. Gideon looks forward to continuing to support the school and its further development in the years ahead.

• Jon Rich
  Co-Chair of Governors at Ludwell Primary
  Jon Rich

  Jon is the co-chair of Governors at Ludwell Primary School.

  Jon has worked locally as a Youth Worker and Volunteer Manager since 2003, working for several national charities and Wiltshire Council's Youth Development Service. He is also a Trustee for Seeds4Success, a local charity offering positive activities for young people. Jon holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Youth Work and Community Studies and an MSc in Environmental Management. His current role is Senior Volunteer Manager for the Youth Adventure Trust, who offer disadvantaged young people a programme of outdoor adventure activities and residential camps. His role involves recruiting, training and supporting a dedicated and diverse team of volunteers. Jon also Chairs a forum for Volunteer Managers in Wiltshire.

  As a lifelong advocate for the power of volunteering he jumped at the opportunity to join theLudwell Primary School Board of Governors. He's driven not only by the opportunity to shape his daughter's experience at Ludwell, but also the experience of all of the other children that attend the school. As the child of teachers, Jon appreciates the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes and was keen to do his bit to help.

  Jon lives in Ludwell, close to the school and can be spotted running, walking, geocaching or flying kites locally.

• Chris Heal
  Chair of Governors at Milton CE Primary
  Chris Heal

  Chris has been involved in education since 2022 when he joined the board as a co-opted governor at Milton-on-Stour Primary School. Having relatively little experience in education, and being co-opted, means he is able to bring an independent perspective.

  During the day, Chris works as an environmental scientist in the public sector, specialising in water and mapping data. He also holds a position as vice chair of CATCH, a community-based river restoration group working on the Upper Stour.

  When he's not looking at a computer, he is likely to be found running or cycling on the Mere Downs. Chris also enjoys playing hockey at his local club and is a strong advocate for greater access to sport, nature and the outdoors.

• Harriet Ridout
  Chair of Governors at St Georges CE Primary
  Harriet Ridout

  Harriet joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2019 prior to taking up the role of Co-Chair in March 2024. Her three children are all currently at St George's.

  Harriet is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor - before having her children, she worked for a South West firm specialising in rural and agricultural accountancy and tax advice. She now runs her own business which has enabled her to fit work flexibly around being a busy Mum.

  Harriet enjoys working alongside fellow governors and the committed and dedicated staff team at St George's to ensure all the children achieve the best outcomes and are able to shine.

• Nick Chapman
  Chair of Governors at St Gregorys CE Primary
  Nick Chapman

  Nick was appointed Chair of Governors in 2018 having re-joined the governing body in 2016. He was chair of governors previously when his two daughters were at the school so has a long and affectionate involvement with St Gregory's.

  Nick's career has been in publishing and media in London and Dublin.

  Since settling in North Dorset with his family, Nick has served as Chair of the Trustee Board of St Margaret's Hospice Somerset and as a Non-Executive Director of Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust. The school is now Nick's priority and he very much enjoys working with his fellow governors, the school team and being in school with the children.

• Barry von Clemens
  Chair of Governors at Wyke Primary
  Barry von Clemens

  Barry is the Chair of the LGC at Wyke Primary.

  Barry has a diverse background in both public and private sectors. With experience as an Estates Director in the NHS. Currently, Barry successfully runs his own business, selling artisan tea and coffee.

  Barry has been a Governor at Wyke school for over 8 years having served as chair for 3 years. He has also worked with local schools and stakeholders to put together a local youth outreach team, working closely with them to develop what this offers to the young people of the town. This also includes playing a role in the establishment and development and running of a local youth club as a member of the management committee.

  Additionally, Barry is local councillor, actively contributing to community development and welfare. Furthermore, Barry holds the position of Chair for several local charities and is also a member of a number of other local groups.

  Barry is the Chairman of the Gillingham Chamber of Commerce, fostering economic growth and prosperity in the local business community. Barrys multifaceted roles highlight a passion for service, leadership, and community engagement.

• Ros Sutton
  Chair of Governors at Princecroft Primary
  Ros Sutton